Gabriel Jesus is doing everything right but not in front of goal for Arsenal. He is always involved in the build-up and contributes to the team defensively. He pops up everywhere.
But a return of 5 league goals after 11 games is a poor return for a player that plays in a team that has scored 24 league goals this season. Jesus has 5 goals in all competitions for Arsenal. Isn’t this surprising that his number is this low despite playing for one of the most in-form side in Europe this season.
I acknowledge the fact that Gabriel Jesus has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season but he should be doing more if Arsenal wants to keep their impressive start to the season and win multiple trophies in the nearest future.
Of all players to have been involved in at least 5 league goals this season, Jesus is the only one that has scored below his expected goals(goals expected to be scored from chances created for a player). It is no coincidence that he has missed 8 big chances this season, which is the second most in the league.
I mentioned the fact that Jesus is always in the build-up to Arsenal’s attack but he isn’t putting himself in goal scoring positions enough. His expected goal per game is below that of Darwin Nunez, Patrick Bamford, Taiwo Awoniyi and Solomon Rondon.
In his six seasons at Manchester City, he only scored more than 10 goals twice and he could only manage 14 goals in his best scoring season in the Premier League. He has never been a proven goalscorer and this needs to change for Arsenal.
The reason why I am stretching the need for Gabriel Jesus is that Arsenal cannot afford to have their leading central forward score little. The team does not have enough players to score double digits in a season.
Last season, only Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe scored more than 10 goals in all competitions for Arsenal.
Manchester City could afford to let Jesus not score much because they have at least 5 players that could score at least 10 goals in a season, does Arsenal have such?
Despite Liverpool and Manchester City proving that you can win trophies without a prolific striker which was made possible due to the profile of players they have, both teams spent a fortune to acquire the services of Darwin Nunez and Erling Braut Haaland respectively last summer. It sends a message, right?
If Mike Artetal intends to keep Arsenal in the title race and win trophies this season and beyond, then he needs Gabriel Jesus to start scoring more. If he doesn’t do that, he would need to bring in a more prolific goalscorer or bring in more players that can get multiple goals in a season for Arsenal.
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